My dough never sees a freezer. Faye Hollis makes the biscuits at Hardees. I'm up at 5 a.m. every day making biscuits from scratch. Easy there, biscuit lady.
Ought to create the Hardy's $2 for $5 breakfast menu. Try the new Oscar Meyer bologna biscuit, sausage and egg biscuit, smoked sausage biscuit, biscuit and gravy, or a cinnamon roll. The $2 for $5 breakfast for a limited time only at participating Hardees. I got up early. The least you can do is show up hungry.
All right, so we start our number two, and let me tell you about the rest of the program really quickly. I've got James Kelly coming up momentarily with our fan duel segment, which is always one of the highlights of the week. I've got E.J. Emmanuel joining us at the bottom of the hour or 40 minutes past to break down this weekend's college action. I've got my own thoughts on LSU and whether or not Sam Levitt is doubtful.
I'm doubtful that he's doubtful. I would love to give Lane Monty Kiffin. I gotta go government on lanes today. I would love to give Lane Monty Kiffen the benefit of the doubt regarding his quarterback being doubtful. But I'm doubtful that he's doubtful, and I can't give Lane the benefit of the doubt.
Like, if it were any other coach, would we even be having this conversation? Of course not, because he's not like any other coach. And then the beef segment.
So, start hitting me up with your beefs. The program is brought to you by FanDuel, and because of that, we have a FanDuel segment every single week. And as part of that FanDuel segment every single week, I bring in the big head, James Kelly, because we have games to break down and things to talk about. And James Kelly's got an opinion or 20. Hey, head.
What's going on, head? How are you doing, Jim? Not much, Jim. Funny point on your lane and Levitt situation. The odds makers are on your side.
They're not believing it either. LSU is still favored by two and a half on FanDuel. What does that tell you? What does that tell you? You have the most important quarterback transfer in the portal.
Their star quarterback. And then he's listed as doubtful. Doubtful, according to the SEC, means there's a 25% chance, that's it, that he'll play. But obviously the line has barely moved, so nobody's buying it. That's two and a half points LSU favored on the road on a Saturday night.
So they're not buying it. No one's buying it. No one's buying it. All right, so there's that. Appreciate your opinions and takes.
Is there anything else you want to do before we do what we do? I'm just saying, man, Betty Jean, I'm going to have her back a little bit here. Ode was also on that wall when I think he killed Bill Walsh.
So there's another one right there for you. Hadn't thought about that and not factor that in. First of all, I'm not at all. First of all, he was fit when he killed Bill Walsh. He was fit when he killed Bill Walsh.
He was fit. What changed? What changed? Yeah, did you kill Bill Walsh? Just pointed out the money.
Were you fit when you killed Bill Walsh? Tell me now, what changed?
So, I'm not at all surprised to hear that you have Betty Jeans back. That does not surprise me. I got Betty Jeans back. I always wanted to slap. Ron and Nicole up on the wall, but I wasn't going to go there.
Please don't go there. All right, so now we're done.
Now we're done. All right.
So great matchup. Thursday night matchups, as I mentioned, ahead. Generally, are not great. This one is great. Long-term matchup.
Your guy, Josh Allen Jim, going up against the Lions. Big old point spread. Break it down. What are we talking about? Yeah.
Point spread is now Bill's minus five and a half. It had been four and a half. You were all over this over, under, highest of the entire week at 54.5 points, which makes sense because, like I think you pointed out, that Detroit Lions passed the it's a poop hole, man. Only team worse through the air than Dennis Allen's Bears last week, Jim. For these guys, just want to point that out for our good friend, Rank.
If Tyler Shao, aka shuck through for 410 yards, like you said, what do we think Josh Allen Jim will do against him last week against Houston? Who you love to run the football against? That guy did not. He relied on his arm and he took shots downfield 11 and a half yards per pass attempt for Josh Allen last week. Yeah, all over the Texans defense.
By the way, not just that's a huge number, but against the Texans' defense, no less. I know. Against their strength, really, right? Of the whole thing, 11 and a half yards per pass attempt.
So he was on only Lamar Jackson, I believe, was better last week against the Saints. And I think. That Brandon Staley's defense, just pointing that one out too. Yeah. As for Dennis Allen and Brandon Staley.
And I wasn't even going to try either. And I'm like, oh, that's perfect right there. You don't have to ask that again. You guys activate it. Thank you, Brandon.
And Adam Rankin. You're getting in all your favorites. All right, go ahead. Leon Hard's defense, the new look defense. Leonard, dude.
Leonard. I'm not going to allow Leon Hard. Leonard, Jim Leonard. It's. Just put the spelling out for everybody to see on TV.
I don't know, dude. You got Shuck, right? Yeah, but it's Shao. It's Shiao. No, it's really Tyler Shao.
Down shot. Stop doing this, dude. I'm not going to allow you to diss. I will not allow the Leonhard slander on my show. Let's make a deal.
How about if his defense starts playing good at all? This is non-negotiable. Jim, go ahead and make your point.
Okay. Yeah, Leonard. His defense looked like Buffalo's last year. My guess is a heavy dose of Jameer Gibbs, like you said. And like you said, down two dudes.
And if you count Cade Mays from training camp, it's three dudes tonight.
So we're riding with Buffalo to cover and blind Terry once again taking care of security.
So Pete and Michigan's family could run the 100-yard dash on the new Buffalo field tonight at Heimark Stadium. Bro, so you're going to lay the points, but are you feeling comfortable and confident in laying those points? Uh I feel confident indeed. The Jungle Hall of Famer. Thanks, Jeb.
I'll tell a quick little story about me and my family. We went to Orchard Park about twenty years ago and uh my man Terry Unfortunately, he lost his vision, but he took care of security. Me and my family got to run the one hundred yard dash there on the field of Buffalo.
So I say war to rake a buffalo.
Now I go to Geoff. Not a Geoff, I'm sorry, Gofford. I'm here in Detroit. This call gets less and less coherent and lucid every time I hear it. It gets worse.
It's not aging though, James. It's like you, it's not aging though. I actually sent it to him this morning because I found it in my emails.
So I sent the new audio. I said, use this in your emails. I'll help you out. It was in my emails. I'll keep that in your emails.
That's correct. Oh, yeah. That's great. Just to answer my question, are you confident in laying five and a half? I was a lot more confident, four and a half, but yeah, my numbers are still over five and a half.
So I'm going to say yes. I think I'm around six or seven.
So your system says all the way to six or seven. All the way to six or seven. You know what? You know what? I think that's a big number to lay, but I'm with you.
My system does not say all the way to six or seven. But somewhere, but it says five and a half. I just feel like the system, the system, automatically awards seven to Josh Allen Jim, no matter who or where he plays. Is that what the system says?
Well, yeah, probably. Especially at night. Especially at night in the new stadium with OG not on the wall. All right, I will lay the points. Let's go.
Buffalo minus five and a half. What else we got here?
Okay. Houston v. Cincy, what a way to start a season for Nick the Clones Texans. First, Josh Allen, now Joe Burrow. His Texans, though, are favored by two and a half points here.
I think this is the best game of the week. Houston's defense will give Joe and his offense a line fit. But I'm thinking Al Golden's pass rush will do the same as C.J. Stroud. The D-line led by Sexy Dexie dominated a better Tampa Bay offensive line in week one.
They all played with nastiness, four sacks. They created four turnovers. I think he's kind of working himself off the ass list a little bit here. Credit Al Golden for that. The same for Houston.
That's not easy, dude. I don't know how many guys have worked their way off your ass list. I know Dennis Allen hasn't. Right, I know. You made that pretty clear.
No, actually, I don't mean give me one guy that's ever technically officially worked their way off of the James Kelly ass list. Bance Joseph, but after Monday night, he might be trending back that way again. Yeah. You might be trading that way. Dude, he is trending fast too.
Chalk will love that. Yes, absolutely. Yep. He's trending pretty quick that way. There it is, Chuck.
They wait a minute. Look at Lord. XCR creating a trending off ass list. Incredible. Beautiful.
One Taylor, two golden. They better cover this week to stay trending off that ass list. Listen, I'm not going to be a right guy. I'm no doctor. I've made this clear.
I just play one on the stream. I'm not saying it'll impact him on Sunday. I'm sure he'll be fine, but you know what's not fine? Joe Burrow already limping around, gimping around after week one with a back with back pain. Come on.
Dude, that's not good at all. That's not good at all. I do not like that. Yeah. Especially when their defense all of a sudden is above ass.
Yes, above ass, and Joe's hurting. But I did see they think he's going to play, so I'm going to go off that too. And then pretty good lick. Yeah, that's huge. Look at him.
That looked painful. It did look painful. Houston's defense 7.9 yards per play last week against Buffalo. That was tied with Carolina and Indy for the week as being the worst of the week. But, you know, Jamar Chase also told.
12 yards receiving. Both will be better this weekend. That Joe guy in his stiff back, though. Get this number, he's an 83% cover for his career when his team closes as an underdog of three points or more. It's not there, it's two and a half, but it's close, and that's why we got to take Cincy.
Sorry, Nick, this week. Going against going against Nick. Yeah, I took it last week and last cost us a freaking spread, but anyways, imagine the Super Bowl contender starting 0-2, but. I know, but it's like the funny thing: like last year, they started slow and they started getting better. They started getting better.
I'm like, dude, is it going to happen again? And they're playing tougher teams this year. They are. They are. All right.
You know my rule of thumb, I don't pick against Nick ever. Ever for any reason. I'm going to lay the points. I'm going to go Houston minus two and a half.
So we're separate on that. Dude, we were like, I'm not saying this isn't good content. I'm just saying we are. Let's go. Okay, yeah.
Cowboys be commanders. I'm going back down that cowboy glory hole here. Dude, Christian Parker, your defense looked like the Fluses did last week. Poor communication, poor awareness, and poor tackling. You know what could help better?
But to interrupt you, Fluce is on the list, right? Glory hole day. Yes, I believe he is on the list. He's absolutely on the list. Yes.
Hey, Lauren, if you have that list, it's accurate after week one, too. I mean, look at who's at first and second, but Fluce is on that list.
Okay, just checking. Yeah. Yeah. Here we are. See?
Bob Sutton, Brandon Staley, Dennis Allen. Or just like Bersace.
Okay, that's not how Iberflu spells his name, but okay. I did the spelling, if anybody's wondering. Yeah, I did the spelling. I think we all know that, though. Commander's office.
I know who did the spelling, head. That's very clear to me. It wasn't Lauren. Yeah, it was my foot. Putting the goat next to Bob's son.
That's incredible. When was the last time Sutton did anything to offend you other than what he did to offend you back in the day? It's not like an ongoing thing. Like it, but I was like, I was right about the whole thing. Like, the Chiefs were a defense coordinator away from a dynasty, and that idiot couldn't get the job done.
And then he cost me a 45 to 1 odds that would have paid me like $4,500. Was it $45 or was it $40? One of the two. It was a long time. You had it pinned for a long time.
That's how bitter you were. You had to get into the top of your next feed. He and Frank Clark, because Frank Clark could be on the list too, because he couldn't line up on size, and that's what cost me as Patriots for the Bob Sutton. It's just money, bro. It's just money.
You can't take it with you. All right, go ahead. So, long story short, we're going to go with Dallas here. We're going to go with Dak. We think he bounces back.
The commanders allowed the second-most yards after a catch in football last season.
So, we're going to go with that. And also, the angle that did not work for us last week, the Dak beat NFC East. He's twenty and one straight up and sixteen and five as a home favorite v the division. Wow.
So Cowboys minus four and a half. It was three and a half.
So there's I was gonna say there's a hook and it went up a full point. Yeah. You know what? They burned me last week. I hate when I ride with the Cowboys and it costs me money.
I hate that. I hate that. I hate that. I take that personally. That said, I'm going to lay the points, too.
Let's do it. Dallas minus four and a half. I'm with you. Bucks fee Browns here. This game is a little bit scary for a couple reasons.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are favored by eight and a half points. One, that's a lot of points. Two, going back to last season, Tampa Bay has lost seven of their last nine games. Their two wins, a two-point win over Carolina and a three-point win over the Cardinals. More, the eight and a half-point favorite Bucs have failed to cover in now 10 straight games.
Like it's really scary. Also, everyone knows everyone out there has taken Tampa Bay for a couple different reasons. I think we all know it's Mr. Jello himself, Deshaun Cosby is why. He's still straight ass.
His Browns run that may end Sunday. It's one for the age of this guy.
So, so context here: a 44 QBR comp is not good for this season, right? That's like Anthony Richardson playing quarterback for your team. Watson Cosby He's had like four or five years in Cleveland. He surpassed that total in four games. Four games.
He's done over 44. He's only played like 16. Yeah, 20 to be exact, but yes, 19 to 20. Great, great call on that one. Four games he's played better than Anthony Richardson has.
Dude, Baker, this is a Super Bowl. We all know this. That's one of the angles. You know what the problem is? You're comparing him to Anthony Richardson, but as Deshaun Cosby himself would say, y'all are expecting 400 yards and five tutties every single game.
Well, maybe just one. Maybe just one. Maybe just how play Anthony Richardson once. Just one time, Anthony Richardson's better than you are, dude. This is not good at all, like always, right?
Yeah, so, but we're gonna go Tampa Bay, which is dangerous. We're going with the masses here, we don't like it. Because of that guy right there. The you know the jello guy like you said the one thing we do when everybody's running that way we know best to run the other way I'm not gonna run to Deshaun Cosby I'm not running to that terrain eight and a half dude was that just a nice premium what okay anyways okay the whole thing is disgusting eight and a half man eight and a half points it's terrible man I hate it I almost want to hit the money line that like what is it 450 or something crazy like that should be something crazy like they're gonna be a survivor pick for a lot of teams will be Tampa Bay for sure it's disgusting it it's disgusting I'll lay the point and not like it Wow, Baker, pick us up, dude. Baker, you have to take a step, dude.
You have to. Yes. My concern about Baker is: I know that he runs hot and he plays well when he's angry. Bro, take he breathed through it. A little box breathing before the game.
I don't want that guy to be too amped up. And it's possible. I'm afraid he's really he's going to want to go badly. Like, if he doesn't show up Sunday, he just got paid. He was not good down the stretch last season.
Last week, turnovers, okay. He's really got to show up. One of his offensive coaches is on the record this week of talking about how badly, quote, the Browns mucked it up because he was with him in Cleveland, that they had that guy. What a mistake, Sampezy. What a mistake they made.
There's so many things. You're right. Like, Baker's got to win, and he's got to win a certain way. Just winning is not a bad thing. He has to win, and he has to win a certain way.
Like, Daniel White's got to be waiting over there with the knockout of the night award bonus. He needs to knock them the hell out. He got a gate shit, man. Yeah, man. I needed this by nine, Bake.
Nine. Yeah. Nine. I know you don't care. Yes, you do.
Baker does care. Get it. Yeah, he cares a lot. Yep. What else we got?
No. I'll let you know. Last game here. Jags at Broncos, Denver. Biggest disappointment of week one.
Seriously, Denver's roster is loaded. Was in the Rams? Big thing. That's right. You weren't disappointed in the Rams.
You're putting together that one. I love that one. All right.
Great call. Them Chargers, too, right? Yes. Yes. Wasn't Denver worse?
176 yards a total walk. Who was the biggest disappointment of week one? We usually don't play that game that everybody else plays. Who was the biggest disappointment of week one? Chargers, Rams, or Broncos?
I think you got me. I think you got me. I think it's the Rams. But the travel thing, so give them a little bit of a game. That's why it's no, that's why it was the disappointment because they made such a bad decision to travel before the game to get him had it too.
All right, I was gonna go with Mike McDaniels' offense too, and that didn't show up. My guy, but I'm like, I don't know, Davis Webb, like I said, 176 yards of total offense and that top five defense that we thought they had, 28 missed tackles. I don't, I don't. It seemed like 28 missed tackles. That's what they said it was.
I don't want to take anything away from Mike LaFleur, who might be the best coach in the LaFleur family. Clearly, they were ready to play. Why the hell weren't the Chargers? That's I don't know. A little concerning there, without a doubt.
Their interior line was a little bit weak, but they were out of sync. Justin was off. He was terrible. But I also, I don't know. I'm kind of, they'll get there.
They'll get there. They'll be fine. They'll be fine unless they lose to the red. Their cardinal defense is not. I mean, they're terrible, right?
I mean. They're offensive. Buddha came on and they weren't terrible last week, were they? You were not terrible against your guy, Mike McDaniel. What happened to that great running game that he was going to bring?
Yeah, I thought Hampton was going to go off on these guys, too. Not looking good. Anyway, we got Denver at home. Yeah. So Denver's favored at home by two and a half points.
And the Jaguars beat these guys in Denver last year by 14 points. Trevor Lawrence ate them up. And as a whole, the Jags, they've won their last nine regular season game. And Weird Liam's, in his last 10 games, his offense has averaged 353 yards per game. And ATS only, do you know who Michael McDonald is?
That guy has covered better than Weird Liam since Weird Liam took over. Weird Liam? Michael McDonald's good. Yes, God, I love Michael. Do you know?
Do you know Liam Khan? Yeah, Liam's turn out to be a pretty damn good coach himself. Do you know that? And I'm going to take that guy. I'm going to take that guy, Liam.
You're going to take the points? I'm going to take the points. Another scary one's going to pick a lot of people on it. If he gets my Broncos too. You usually don't go against hometown team?
It's so funny too because that bone nicks, I was all over him last year, and then the offseason. I'm like, man, he's going to be really good this year because they remind me of Philadelphia's roster when they were in the Super Bowls. Incredible talent. I hate to give you up, but you love that roster. You have been in my head over and over again about how, oh, dude, dude, I'm telling you.
Man, that roster, that roster, you love that roster. I love that roster, and I've been hard on Bo Knicks, but I got to probably start being hard on him and Davis Webb. They might get on the list, dude, if they don't produce here. I mean, there's no reason why they can't do it. See, and that's the other thing.
I've been a believer. And then all of a sudden I'm like, you know what? That's why you can't trust that guy. I'm taking the points. Because I love him going.
And I like Trevor Lawrence. I like the Jags. I like the Jags. I'm taking the points. I'm taking the points.
I'm gonna go to Jacksonville. Duval plus two and a half. There you go. Take the point. Look at us.
20 minutes, dude. Yeah, good content. Nice job. It's not your fault. It's not your fault.
Good content. Good picks. Good content. Let's make some money, James Kelly. Appreciate it, dude.
Let's do it. Great job, Jim. Good job. Big ad. James Kelly joining me every single Thursday for the FanDuel segment.
That one worked. He knew it. You know why that works so well? he didn't resort to any of his juvenile behavior or sophomoric humor. Did you notice that?
Oh, well other than... That one sound bite of Terry. But he didn't go with any excrement blasts. He didn't go with any bodily function resets. Just good, straight content.
I like that. I like that segment. All right, what's your beef? We've got some work to do before I get there, but that's going to be at the top of the hour, and we're going to get there before you know it.
So Call in with a beef. Write your beef in. Let's get it. E.J. Manuel joins me at 1:40 or in about 20 minutes from right now.
Speaking of beef. Got a quick question for you clones. Why is old Trapper Beef Jerky so amazing? There is something to be said for a family run business which stands by quality and produces the world's finest beef jerky. Fact.
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Don't forget. Because of our Palsido Trapper, the Beef Segment coming up at the top of the hour, 2 o'clock Pacific, straight up. Hit me with your beefs right now. You're listening to that Jim Rome show. My dough never sees a freezer.
Faye Hollis makes the biscuits at Hardee's. I'm up at 5 a.m. every day making biscuits from scratch. Easy there, biscuit lady. Ought to create the Hardee's $2 for $5 breakfast menu.
Try the new Oscar Meyer bologna biscuit, sausage and egg biscuit, smoked sausage biscuit, biscuit and gravy, or a cinnamon roll. The $2 for $5 breakfast for a limited time only at participating Hardy's. I got up early. The least you can do is show up hungry. Believe is where football lives.
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All right, so you know how when you think about people, I mean, a lot of you clones don't care, but some of you do. And I'm in the latter category. Like, I want to get better. There are things that I still do that I shouldn't do. I'll own this.
I'll still hit the pantry. There's still like vices that I have that I've been working on that still rear their ugly head. And then I see people that I'm like, man, that dude right there, vice-free. Vice free. And I don't know whether or not I admire that guy or I'm Kind of not happy with that guy.
But then I have to admit that that dude's better than me.
So as an example, Kirk Cousins. That dude's almost too good to be true. That dude does not have vices. Kirk Cousins is not running around Vegas getting his gamble on. Kirk Cousins is not running around getting his drink on.
Kirk Cousins is not looking at porn. Like, he's just not doing these things. He's a mentor, he's a role model. He's like Fernando. He's like an older Fernando.
Like, Kirk Cousins does not have a vice. I know that. I've sat with the guy, I've watched him his whole career. That dude is vice-free. Oh wait.
No, he's not. He admitted he has a vice. This hope for all of us. Check out Kirk Cousins Copping to This Vice. I have an in and out problem, if you will.
So I actually have to go to what I'm not very proud of. If I'm really hungry, and I did this in August on an off day, I had three three by threes. I don't get onions. I don't get onions, but then I also get fries and Don't usually do a shake. Don't usually do a shake.
That's probably the one discipline I try to have. But yeah, I can put down a lot of in-and-out burgers. I try to be strategic when I go as far as wait times. I haven't quite figured out that hack. Maybe it's early, you know, 10:30, 11 when they first open.
But I got an in-and-out problem, and it wasn't a big deal when I lived in the central or eastern time zone. But on the west coast time zone, when I signed with the Raiders, I knew this is going to be an issue. And that is a great cheat meal. Coming home from a win on a Sunday night, I don't know if I can think of a better spot than that. It's hard for me to fully articulate why I like it so much, but Yeah, I'm I'm a sucker for Dude.
First of all, when that guy says it's hard for me to articulate, no, it's not. You articulate extremely well. Secondly, I can help you with that, though. The way to articulate what you're trying to say is, they're just awesome. That's why I love that his thing was like, oh, I knew it was gonna be a problem if I signed in Vegas.
Like in that time zone, that's a problem. There are in-and-out burgers there. Can you imagine that being part of the criteria? All right, so will I play? What would they pay me?
Can they win? Will I start? What's the quarterback room like? Do they have in and out? Three three by threes per sitting?
Yeah, I love In N Out. And I'm not even though I did work there and that was my first job. And I am partial to that over any other fast food hamburger because I'm biased. I actually don't go very often. A few times a year.
And not because I don't even have a good reason. I just don't go very often. But I can tell you this, as somebody who started working there at the age of sixteen, and at the end of every single shift they give you a free meal, which starts off as the greatest thing ever if you're a sixteen year old, but after about a year i it the novelty wears off. I have never in my entire existence ever had a three by three. And what he's saying is, I smash three three by threes.
Every time I go, and fries. But not a shake. That's where I draw the line. I have that discipline. Way to not add another thousand calories to that.
Four thousand calorie meal, my dude. That's funny though. Good on you, Kirk. I'm glad you have a vice. And I'm glad that vice is in and out.
Three three by threes. But no onions. All right, when we come back. Love that. Love that for him.
It is the best. You're not talking me off in and out. In and out to the grave, in and out forever. E.J. Manuel, When We Come Back, Beef Segment, Top of the Hour.
You're listening to the Jim Rome Show. USAA knows dynamic duos can save the day, like superheroes and sidekicks or auto and home insurance. With USAA, you can bundle your auto and home and save up to 10%. Tap the banner to learn more and get a quote at usaa.com/slash bundle. Restrictions apply.
My dough never sees a freezer. Faye Hollis makes the biscuits at Hardy's. I'm up at 5 a.m. every day making biscuits from scratch. Easy there, biscuit lady.
Ought to create the Hardy's $2 for $5 breakfast menu. Try the new Oscar Meyer bologna biscuit, sausage and egg biscuit, smoked sausage biscuit, biscuit and gravy, or a cinnamon roll. The $2 for $5 breakfast for a limited time only at participating Hardy's. I got up early. The least you can do is show up hungry.
All right, welcome back. Beef segment, top of the hour.
So, you want to hit me up right now? I'll call in with your beefs or write them in. But as promised, we are joined right now by a former NFL quarterback. He played five years in the league, four with Buffalo Bills, and a season with the Raiders. He was an all-ACC here at Florida State, where he went 25-6 as a starter.
He won four consecutive bowl games with the Seminoles. He is also an ESPN college football analyst. I'm talking about EJ Manuel. EJ, great to have you back on. Always good to talk to you.
How are you doing, EJ? Jim, I'm doing great, man. And look, anytime I get a chance to join you on your show, you know, I'm always excited to do it.
So I hope all is well and excited to talk some ball today. I appreciate that so much. I appreciate you, especially since you are crushing it on ESPN right now with your studio work. Let me start. I mean, we could start anywhere.
I mean, you're doing a great job, dude. We could start anywhere, but why don't we start with Elaine Kiffenbowl, number seven against number eight? He's going up against Ole Miss. What was your reaction last night, EJ, when Sam Levitt appeared on the official SEC doubtful list for the game? What were your thoughts when you saw that?
Initially, Jimmy was shocked, but then I thought about who his head coach is, talking about Lane Kippen. And look, I'm going to be honest. At first, when the whole thought around the NFL players or these kids that were trying to get into the league, they didn't make the team, they come back. uh to college football, particularly at LSU. I was like, what is Lane doing, man?
Like, you got a huge game, week one against Clemson. The distractions, you're starting your tenure there in Baton Rouge. You want to start off on the right foot. And all they did was completely whooptail.
So, like, ultimately, I think he kind of likes the fray. I think he likes to stir it up a little bit. And I respect him for it because still his teams are going out there and playing well. They didn't play great against La Tech. But as far as specifically with Sam Levitt, I think he's going to play Jim as a quarterback.
Man, look, when you go to a new team or if it's early in the season, you don't miss certain games. If you can walk, if you can throw, if you can. Keep your eyes open. Like, you're gonna go and do what you gotta do to be able to play in this game. I don't know what the injury is, I don't know if anybody does, but I would find it hard pressed to believe that Sam Levitt would not go in this game unless he's absolutely hurt.
And from what I've seen or heard, he didn't look like he was hurt after the game against LaTeX.
So I'm not sure what happened between Saturday night. And uh yesterday. My man preach. Exactly. Like in college, ball, you know this.
In the pro ranks, if somebody's on the injured list, we know what the injury is. In college, we don't know. But to your point, he looked fine during the game other than when he threw those three picks. He looked fine coming out of that game. Nothing was said during the week.
He comes out of nowhere.
So, and who's the coach? Lane Kiffin.
So I'm doubtful that he's actually doubtful, and I think he's going to play.
So we'll see. Let me ask you, E.J. Manuel joining us. In terms of quarterback play, I talked to Trinidad Chambliss last year on the program. Obviously, watched him all year long.
Could not be more impressed with him both on and off the field. Is there any arguments to be made that although Arch Manning's stock has never been higher, that Trinidad's actually the premier quarterback in the SEC? Jim, we're thinking alike. And I even think, as far as NFL draft prospect, this, I mean, this guy, Trinidad Chambers, could potentially be the first one off the board. And the reason why, you know, you think about the quarterback position now, you have to be an athlete.
And I think, one, he certainly possesses that ability. I know he's not six foot four, that prototypical height and size, but this guy is tough as nails. He can run the football, which is huge, huge, you know, attribute to himself. But then his ability to work the middle of the seams and the crossing routes, you know, the deep overs and stuff. I love the way he's played.
I know it was a little bit slow of a start against Louisville in that week one matchup, but Louisville is a good football team. But I think his story is one of the college football stories that Dunny talked about enough. I mean, this guy was an all-star at D2 at Fair State, wins championships and all that kind of stuff there. Backup at Ole Miss behind Austin Simmons. Essentially, Simmons gets Wally Pipped, and then Trinidad Chambers gets the opportunity when Simmons goes out with an injury and he never looks back.
And now this guy potentially might be a first-round pick.
So I love his game. Arch is great. Julian Sand is great. Dante Moore will get himself together. There's still a lot of really good QBs, CJ Carr.
But when you look at Trinidad Chandler's body of work in just a year and now going on to the second year, it's pretty special. Yeah, right? What a journey. Talking to former NFL and current ESPN college football analyst EJ Emmanuel. EJ, so what about another interesting matchup?
You got Carolina and Clemson.
Now, neither of them are ranked, but that doesn't mean it's not interesting. In fact, it really is. You've got North Carolina going to Death Valley. It's going to cause a lot of or create a lot of attention because of the coaches. Does Dabo Sweeney maybe need this one even more than Bill Belichick?
Absolutely. Dabbo definitely needs this. Jim, and the big reason why is: you know, they haven't looked good. Clemson has not looked good, even in their win against Georgia Southern. Last week.
And I would imagine that fan base is really having a huge question mark as far as what kind of offense they're going to have. I know they started the season with Christopher Fizzina. From what I read, he does have an injury.
So that's potentially why he either won't play or won't start in this game. But then you look to Tate Reynolds, who's young and he's a good player, but he's an athlete right now. I don't think he's really a quarterback that can win from the pocket. And when you look at Carolina's defense last two weeks, they got pass rushers. They got guys, specifically Xavier Lewis, who's done a really good job.
I think he already has four sacks from the season at the D-tackle spot. And Bill Belichick's calling the defense because I believe Steve Belichick is out or he just resigned or something like that with some off-the-field foolishness.
So I think this is a dire time for Clemson to get back. Into kind of inciting some fear into some teams because right now, I don't think anybody's fearing the Clemson Tigers. And in fact, I think a lot of teams are looking at them on potential W, and it starts with Carolina. I think they feel good about their chances. Man, who would ever thought we would get to that?
But the world has changed so dramatically anyway. EJ Emmanuel joining us. EJ, you're always going to be linked to your alma mater. Of course, Florida State, where you had a great, great career.
Now, Florida State parted ways with AD Mike Alford Monday. That can't be a positive development for Mike Norvell. He's coming off a five-win season. He lost his last home game to SMU on Labor Day. What do you make of the state of the program as the Knowles get ready for number 10, Alabama in Tuscaloosa?
Yeah, as far as the state of the program, Jim, it's frustrating because they have talent. I do believe Mike Novell is a good coach. I mean, you don't go 13-0 in 2023 and be a bad coach. You know, maybe you have some bad, you know, strikes of luck where Jordan Travis obviously gets hurt and then, you know, you bring in some quarterbacks through the portal and they don't pan out. That happens.
I mean, it happens in the NFL level too, the coaches. But, you know, I'm still rooting for Mike Novell. As far as them getting rid of, you know, the AD, Michael Alford, I was disappointed because I thought he was doing a great job. And not just with the football team, but also, you know, he brought in a lacrosse team and they've got a brand new facility out there. He redid the football facility.
And I know that's been a large. topic because of some of the debt that's come along with that. But if you want to keep up with the Joneses and be able to recruit and bring in the top talent in college football, that's what you have to do, Jim. I was sad to see him go. Michael Walford has been a great friend of mine.
He's always treated me extremely well as a former player. Whenever I go back to Tallahassee, his wife, Laura, has also been a fantastic. It's my family, so sad to see him go. But ultimately, when you start to see moves like this, especially at this portion of the season, it's still really early, Jim, right? You would imagine if things don't go well in Tuscaloosa for Florida State, what might happen in Mike Novelle?
I think you're right. I think you're right. EJ Emmanuel joining us. EJ, you mentioned Dante Moore in passing a few moments ago. I spoke to Oklahoma State head coach Eric Morris Tuesday coming off their huge win over Oregon.
He'd already turned the page. He'd already turned the page. And I think that's a really good young coach. What about the Ducks? Like, are they struggling in your mind because they've got a pair of new coordinators, or do their problems maybe run deeper than that?
I wonder if it's a mentality thing, Jim, because Oregon comes in with the fly uniforms. And, you know, we all expect great football from them. They were a really good team last year. Shoot, they've been a really good team for the past five years, certainly since Dan Landing's been there. But Boise State, that one was like, okay, maybe Boise is just really good.
We all thought Boise would be the team out of a group of six that would make it into the college football playoffs.
So that was fine. And then you come out against Oklahoma State, and I'll give them this early on. It was a 90-minute delay before the game, but ultimately, that's just an excuse. Like, that can't be the reason why you come out and you get jumped on by Oklahoma State. And so a lot of their mistakes, at least early in this game, offensively, of course, you have some drops.
Decorian Moore had a big drop. I think Evan Stewart had a big drop in the first half. Dante Moore was getting pressured. The offensive line, Jim, at times couldn't stop a nosebleed as far as pass rush.
So that's really hard on the quarterback. And, you know, once you start getting pressured a couple of times, man, you start to feel and see ghost. And so I feel like that's where Dante was a little bit trying to get themselves back into the game, which they did. But then you take your hat off to Eric Morse and you take your hat off to Drew Mestenaker. Think about that part.
They go out and lose the Tulsa gym. The week before, you know, this bringing in the leading passer from last year, threw from the most yards in North Texas and all that kind of stuff. And they stunk it up in week one. And then they flipped the page again in week two and absolutely bust down Oregon.
So I was really impressed by Eric Morris. You're right. He is certainly an all-star as a head coach. And for him to get the best out of his players in a seven-day span after having a tough loss to start the season to Tuls was really impressive to me. I love that point you just made.
That's so true. It could not have gone any worse against Tulsa. He got them to turn the page quickly, which is why I'm not surprised when I said to him on that Tuesday, did you give the guys a little extra time to enjoy this one? He said, no, no, no, we didn't. I'm so glad you mentioned Drew Messmaker.
This dude's incredible. You know, he's only played quarterback like 15 games. What are your thoughts when you watch him? And does he project on the next level? Yeah, he does.
Look, man, if he plays like this, the way he played against Oregon, Jim, he'll work himself back into the first-round conversation. I was even skeptical after watching that tape of Tulsa. You know, he wasn't seeing the field clear. He had a couple turnovers, specifically late in the game, which is when a quarterback really has to rise to the occasion and make sure he gives himself and his team a chance to win at the end. He didn't do that.
So I'm chalking it up to, okay, well, maybe now he's in the power four, but Tulsa's still in a group of six, you know what I mean?
So then he comes out against a power four team, a top 10 team in Oregon, and absolutely plays like a legend. And his jump and leap into the end zone was one that I know is going to be ran for years and years and years, even when he's in the NFL, because that was one of those John Elway moments where you throw the cape on, you just find a way to not be denied.
So as a quarterback, I was proud of Drew Mestermaker. You know, Jim, I always like when guys respond, man, when guys have a bad game, and then the following week they come out and answer, and they don't worry about what guys like me or anybody else in the media has to say about them.
So I got a lot of respect for dudes like that. And Drew Mesemaker certainly has a chance to put himself in position. For the NFL draft, maybe after this season. I mean, what a dog, right? That play at that goal line was so incredible.
You're right. That will be talked about and shown for years and years and years. EJ, one last thought, and so good to get caught up.
So, you were selected by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of 2013. You made 17 starts for them. They're going to play their first ever regular season game at Highmark Stadium against the Lions tonight.
Now, you dealt with some injuries in adversity while you were there, but what positive memories do you have of playing for that franchise and then that rabid support of the Bills Mafia? Yeah, well, I'll tell you the first story that I always like to tell friends.
So, my first game ever, we played the New England Patriots, and that was just surreal for me because wow, okay, now I'm playing for the Buffalo Bills. My dad and Bruce Smith have known each other and grown up together since third grade.
So, like, I'm looking at a team that I've been watching forever for one, right?
So, I'm dying on the helmet. I got the jersey on. I'm in Ralph Wilson Stadium and all that. And then, across the way, across the field is Tom Brady. You know what I mean, Jim?
So, like, this is like storybook movie type stuff to me. And the game was going our way, man. We almost won it. I think we didn't convert on the third down in the fourth quarter. Of course, Tom gets the ball back on offense.
They go down, they get in field goal position, and they knock it through to win the game. But I got a lot of fond memories from that stadium specifically. I think about week two. I don't want to go long, but like we, my first victory ever, we played the Carolina Panthers, Cam Newton's team, Luke Keekly, who just got into the Hall of Fame, played against him in college at Boston College, and threw a game winner to Stevie Johnson in the left corner of the end zone to win that one. Josh Norman had a busted conference.
coverage.
So I was sad once the stadium got knocked down, but at the same time, it is exciting, you know, for the Bills fans to get something sparkly and new. And Josh Allen has done such an amazing job.
So I'm rooting for him tonight. And I know they got to get a win tonight, especially this being the home opener there in the new stadium. Man, I love that. Love those stories.
Next time, we'll talk about Stevie. I ran down Stevie not too long ago. Stevie's doing great. Love Stevie. Love that connection.
We'll do that. Me too. EJ Emmanuel joining us. EJ, you're doing an awesome job with ESPN, dude.
So great to get caught up. Appreciate you making time. I know you're busy, dude. Really good to see you. Appreciate you, dude.
Take time, man. Take care. You got it. Me too. Be good.
He is doing a great job on camera. Love his insight. E.J. Emmanuel, great energy. All right, when we come back, the beef segment.
Top of the hour.
So, what do you want beef about? Hit me up: 1-800-636-8686. Write your beefs in on social or email or in the chat. That segment is next. And again, my thanks to EJ Emmanuel.
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